TEHRAN – During a recent BRICS meeting in Moscow, senior officials from the nuclear industry of member countries signed a joint declaration in support of establishing a BRICS nuclear platform, a move that underscores the importance of peaceful nuclear energy in the future energy strategies of these nations.

A delegation from the Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by Hossein Derakhshandeh, Deputy Head of the organization and CEO of Iran’s Nuclear Energy Production and Development Holding Company, participated in the proceedings on Thursday. 

The creation of this BRICS nuclear platform is seen as a pivotal step toward increasing cooperation in nuclear technology. 

The platform’s primary goal is to promote the development and application of both energy and non-energy nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. It seeks to create and implement advanced practices and innovative approaches that will benefit BRICS and BRICS Plus markets. 

Moreover, the platform will also focus on developing incentive mechanisms and project models to stimulate growth in the nuclear industries of member nations.

This cooperative effort reflects the growing importance of nuclear energy in the energy mix of BRICS nations. 

According to Russian experts who spoke at the summit, by 2050, BRICS countries are expected to supply at least half of the world’s energy production and consumption. Given the rising global demand for energy, nuclear power is poised to play a significant role in meeting this demand, particularly due to its reliability, low emissions, and capacity to produce energy on a large scale.

The BRICS group, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa was established in 2009. It has emerged as a significant force shaping global economic discussions.

Iran, alongside Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, received an invitation to join this influential bloc effective January 1, 2024, signaling a significant transformation in the geopolitical arena. Russia chairs the BRICS group in 2024.